1st LD Writethru: Russian civil helicopter crashes, casualties unknown
Xinhua, February 13, 2017 Adjust font size:
A Russian civil helicopter crashed on Sunday night on the Teletskoye Lake in the country's Altai Republic, with members aboard still missing, RIA Novosti agency reported quoting the emergency services.
Five people were probably on board the Robinson R66 light multi-purpose helicopter equipped with a two-bladed main rotor, according to the report.
The crash was possibly caused by piloting errors or the gales over the lake, one of the most visited tourist destinations in Russia, said RIA Novosti.
Search and rescue teams, including frogmen, are rushing to the possible sites of the crash. But they will be unable to start work before dawn on Monday due to the bad weather.
Local transportation authority has launched an investigation into the incident. Endit